Our View: Durfee upgrades are needed

Tuesday

Apr 8, 2014 at 6:00 PM

After 35 years, B.M.C. Durfee High School is showing some serious signs of wear and tear and structural problems that may be affecting the quality of education being delivered. Despite all the progress Durfee has made academically in recent years, Fall River's sprawling public high school that serves students from across the city risks losing its accreditation because of the building's deteriorating condition. That's why it is so important that officials explore every option possible to replace and renovate parts of the aging and ailing building.

After 35 years, B.M.C. Durfee High School is showing some serious signs of wear and tear and structural problems that may be affecting the quality of education being delivered. Despite all the progress Durfee has made academically in recent years, Fall River’s sprawling public high school that serves students from across the city risks losing its accreditation because of the building’s deteriorating condition. That’s why it is so important that officials explore every option possible to replace and renovate parts of the aging and ailing building.

The best option to financially support those repairs is funding through the Massachusetts School Building Authority, which would reimburse 80 percent of renovations that are being proposed for the school. The School Committee this week approved the statement of interest to MSBA for the renovation project, with the City Council expected to give the proposal its blessing last night.

Although school officials considered applying to build a whole new school, the replacement/renovation plan keeps some of the stronger/newer parts of the building intact, while renovating portions that desperately need upgrades. A proposal to simply repair Durfee was previously rejected by MSBA as it was seen as a Band-Aid rather than a long-term solution.

From roof leaks forcing classes to move to different parts of the buildings, to falling windows imperiling children and wasting energy, to wide fluctuations in temperatures endangering health, safety and learning conditions, to a generally rundown appearance, the condition of Durfee is distracting, uncomfortable and uninviting. It’s even potentially become so detrimental to learning that the school accreditation body has taken notice.

In addition to submitting a series of photos documenting the deteriorating condition of the building, officials are attaching a copy of Durfee’s midcycle review report from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges showing Durfee’s “warning” status because of the building’s condition. That status may be the most compelling reason for the city and MSBA to support this renovation project.

Although Fall River faces a daunting amount of debt obligations and mounting fiscal woes, fixing Durfee is not a luxury that can be put off for better times. Granted, even the 20 percent share of renovations represents a major expense that would likely have to be put before city voters in a bond referendum. But that is still down the road. If MSBA approves the concept for funding the renovation, officials would then look at the costs, which would be considered by the city in determining whether it is fiscally feasible.

Although there are many deserving school building needs both locally and across the commonwealth, the failing physical condition of the 500,000-square-foot Durfee building should represent a compelling case for MSBA to approve funding. With so many of Fall River’s young people attending Durfee, it would be foolish not to invest in the necessary renovation of this ailing building. The question is not if, but when, these much needed improvements to Durfee’s physical structure can begin.